When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

I am curious about when a beginner is considered a intermediate flyer. What qualities are necessary to be a intermediate flyer?? Time? Maneuvers? Landings? Thanks[sm=confused.gif]

Michael

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

I think when you can handle setting up your plane and understand why things are done the way they are...and can fly your trainer with confidence, and authority. Thats when you are no longer a beginner.TMHO.:)

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Yeah what Aeronaut said, once u get ur plane up in the air by urself and can land it alone and take it out of trouble alone, and can also fly another plane different from a trainer, ur an intermediate

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

You will remain a beginner until you have successfully crashed your plane, after that, your a Newbie no longer a beginner...........:D

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

You are no longer a beginner once you lose that fear of not doing anything close to the ground. When you start to get daring and push your limits.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

What Carolina said.
You've become an intermediate pilot when you can fly a low wing sport plane, and do most of the basic manuevers well. ie. Rolls, loops, inverted flight, land where you want and well, (almost) all the time. :)

However, you're no longer a beginner when you begin answering more questions than you ask. [sm=biggrin.gif]
Dennis-

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Hi Michael,

When I could fly my WM Super Sport 40 by myself. Takeoff, land, do loops, rolls stalls(a couple of mistakes high), tune my engine, then I moved to intermediate. How are things? What are you flying these days? Again a lot has to do with how many questions you have when you are flying. Every time I go to the field I learn something new, that is normal for me. I am curious and want to learn about any new thing I see. Sometimes I still feel like a beginner because someone is flying a 1/4 scale plane. So much to learn and not enough time. But, if you can handle your planes and engines and radio equipment, then I think you have crossed the line. I may never get past intermediate, I may never want to. I take my time and have as much fun as I can. :D

Bill

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Hi Bill,

sent you a e-mail. Sig 4*60 withOS61FX. Flys great, doing basic aerobatics with it.

Michael

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Nice, there you go. I love that plane and I think it is a very good airplane to fly. Just keep on flying it, it will serve you well. I think you are well on your way. BTW, how do you feel when you are flying it. Are you comfortable yet? I know some nerves are good, they keep you alert. I judge it on how I feel. If I feel more relaxed, then I know I am flying better. Is it a ARF? How is the orientation? Did you add anything to the bottom to help in that?

I'll check out the email later. [8D]

Bill

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

a beginner is no longer a beginner when he can recover from any mistake as much as possible, remembers where his plane was incase he looses orientation, and feels confident in himself.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

How 'bout....You're no longer a beginner when the "Newbies" start asking YOU questions ?? LOL !:D

Ugo

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

once you have over 100,000,000 posts[:o]

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

You are no longer a beginner when you can put an ARF togther take it to the field takeoff set the trim up and land it all by your lonesome and be able to tell if the CG is right or not and wether the thrust angle is right or if the weight needs moved.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

You are no longer a newb when:

-People stop laughing and pointing at you when you fly.
-People stop ducking for cover or hiding in their cars.
-Your family and friends don't cringe when you come home from flying.
-You spend less time pi**ing with your airplane, and more time flying.
-You stop asking dumb question in these forums (refer to several of my posts)
-When you can take off and land without shoving the controller into your brothers stomache to take over. :)
-You stop coming back home with a paper bag with tiny pieces of balsa brimming from the top (oil soaked of course).
-You don't need a 6 pack to calm down from 'your experience'.
-You stop turing your body with your plane on the ground to counteract the directional dislexia.

And the #1 thing that denotes that you are no longer a newb in RC:
(drum roll please)
-You do the complete opposite of what I do. :(

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Sincraft,

Great line. LOL
My I use it?

Good Post!!

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

It is interesting how many poeple mention being nervous. I usually find I calm down after my first flight is over. At that point, I really am not a aware of anything else going on around me and my focus is more directed, natural and relaxed. But oh boy, sometimes that first flight can be shaky.

Michael

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

yeah. i hear you. my first flight, i am always shaking a bit, but after that, i jsut can't stop. i need to get used to the plane after a dormant week. then, i can do anything i want

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

RedWing-RCU: Humorous things are always even more humorous WHEN THEY ARE TRUE! :) Yes, quote me for sure. eheh.

S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Six consecutive five minute flights - which include at least two loops and three rolls - that end with the models wheels on the ground (and still attached to the model) and the motor still running, without needing to bend, glue, tape or replace any structural member or covering material of the plane or any article of your own clothing between flights. If the model by design is incapable of a loop then two horizontal figure-of-eight patterns can be substitituted.

That, or 100 flights accumulated, whichever comes first. If you ain't got it by then you can't use "newbie" as an excuse.

Extra points are given for agreeing to take up an even fresher newbie's new, unflown plane and successfully returning it to earth undamaged after trimming it in flight; and then adjusting the linkages on the ground in such a way that it actually improves on the next flight.

Double points are given if you return the plane to earth undamaged after the fresher newbie had installed the aileron arms backwards, but immediately deducted because you didn't notice on your pre-flight check.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

I have been flying a little over a year now. I felt that I was no longer a beginner when a new club member, who had seen me fly, asked if I would train him. Although I am not totally comfortable training yet, I felt better about my own skills when this happened.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Btw, there's an old adage that you don't fully understand something until you try to teach it to someone else.

Teaching others, and preflighting and test flying other guy's planes has made me a better pilot, no question about it.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

You guys are brave. Flying another persons plane seems rather crazy to me. But to the newbie (me) you instantly earn their respect when you bring it down in one piece. :)

CHARLIE: I think that should be the definition of a Club Trainer honestly. Nicely put.

S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

I always fly a rectangle as my first maneuver, just to get my b...s out of my throat and to check the plane trim also. After that is all hot dogging. If you're able to get your ba..s down at this point you're no longer a beginner.

Regarding needing help, I think every body need help at some point for many reasons, is good to fly alone that new plane and trimmed it your self, but suddendly the wind picks up like crazy and what do you do? risk to land with a new plane that you have never land before or ask someone with more expirience than you or someone that you know flys that particular plane to land it for you or at least be your caller in the landing.

There is no pride in a crashed plane, only a long, long, long ride home.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Ok, let me spark another spin on this conversation!

-When does a beginner, decide he/she/it is ready to solo...I mean solo as in no screaming help and someone comes running.

after 2 solo's with an instructor nearby? More? Less?

AND what do you do your first time out, try to keep it within easy sight and make boxes in the air until you can get the guts to next...LAND..? :) (my plan personally hehe)

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

That's why they pay me the big bucks. Oh, wait, I don't get paid. Nevermind. :D

Actually, it's a lot of fun. And a challenge all it's own. And I get to "sample" lots of different planes, radios, and engines.

Of course, most of the time the plane being flown is a trainer, and these days, with the quality and popularity of ARFs, 9 times out of 10 the test flight is totally uneventful, almost boring. Well, never boring. But that 1 out of 10 sure makes for some fun and excietment. I don't know about other guys, but I get a huge charge out of bringing back a funky flying plane in good shape, when I know a lot of guys would have reduced it to splinters. :D Back when most planes were kits, first flights were always more exciting. And yes, I do seriously go over a new plane to minimize anything that could go wrong.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

it should be the instructors decision when he/she is ready to solo. a lot of students will not have the confidance until their instructor says there ready.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

When is a beginner not a beginner? Well, for me it will be when I stop learning.

But then, my Grandfather always maintained "The day you stop learning is the first day that you're dead."

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

One can be dead in mind but not necessarily dead in the physical sense. (please refer to 1/2 of the population)

:)

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

i would say more in the major cities such as new york, chicago, los angales, washington dc etc.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

naw, you just need to come out to where I live. This is the order of mental processes for most of the people around me.

1. drink
2. cause drama
3. drink some more
4. figure out a way to go on disability
5. walk ass backwards into prosperity over and over only to pi** it away, GOTO 3, return to 4 or 5.
6. when you hit 50+, think a bit.

:)

Any decent person I have met since I moved here, says the same thing over and over (man I gotta get outta here)

If I drive even 1 hour toward the city, it seems that the people are more 'attuned' with reality. And they do think.

And of course, most rc'rs have a good head on their shoulders. Cept those darn heli pilots (j/k of course) :)

S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

or just look at our president

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

yea, he doesn't seem very quick but many say he is savy. I call it sly, and sly doesn't take guts or brains. It takes selfishness and practice. But I actually kinda like him. Mostly because he doesn't mince words really. But at the same time, this 'war on terror' thing really hasn't anything to do with him. I don't want to engage in a political debate, but let's just say the president has much less power than we think he does...are far too much in other instances.

S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

To get back on topic, I have a question:

I solod for the first time today (true solo...noone to grab the controller and bail me out)

Stupid of me as there were millions of people in the park, and the wind was picking up quickly with that hurricane on the way.

Last year I flew about 8 times. Of which a bit over half of the time I didn't land it or take it off. Sometimes I would do one or the other but only 1 time did I do both. This year I only flew once but someone took her up and down for me. I just played around in the sky for a few minutes.

Today's solo was a NERVOUS victory for me. But am wondering, am I to expect success from here on in or should I still seek the help of a trainer?

S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

first of all, what kind of park flyer are you flying? that will makea difference. second of all, i think you will be fine. just don't get too confident too quickly. that's a big mistake. i once did that, and during a field fun fly, i was doing an inverted pass abotu 5 feet above the runway, had a brain fart and rolled over onto the other side, over the pitts. i managed to power myself out of it, but man was the field master pissed. lesson learned, pace yourself.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

'when is a beginner not a beginner"?
On the second flight of my new "6 months to build, $1000.00 airplane" or the first flight of someone else's plane..heck..I don't have a penny in that one!!!



Tom

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

I think a beginner is no longer a beginner , when he stops Running from his own plane when it is landing ! Coz this happened to me and I even got hit (LOL!) and it hurt but the plane was fine![sm=biggrin.gif]

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

Not a park flyer. Flying a Eagle 2 die cut kit build with a Enya .40. If it were a park flyer, I wouldn't be worried about solo'n. I did that my first flight flying one of them. Good times however. Quickly switched back to gas though. My 4th flight with my park flyer, I got shot down or I took it too far away from me and it spiraled straight into the ground. I had no control :( Now that I research it, I think I only had 900 feet of reception. I thought I could go further. Guess I was wrong! HA

Ok noted: Spectators, inverted flight bad if brain farts are expect. Check. :) I'll keep that in mind for when I get to the inverted flight stages in about 20 years hehe.


S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

don't be so negative. you will be going that in 6 months. at least you will be capable by then. the problem was, i had gotten so sure of myself that i made a mistake and probably scared away about 5 prospective members. that was at a time when our club had been hit with a real crisis; and engine size limit. i am not saying don't ever do anything fancy, you will get bored i assure you. just don't get too confident. however, all trainers are pretty much alike, and almost all trainers are good. you should be fine. keep flying. the more you do, the more you love it.

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

I did a 3 loops last year. On my 2nd flight I did a loop but didn't land or takeoff on that flight. My first solo (with someone near) I didn't do much. My first REAL solo (this year...yesterday) I took it up and wanted to bring it down IMMEDIATELY just so I could say I did..to myself mostly..and others. I was happy, but the tiny bit I flew is a fading memory. I didn't really fall asleep thinking of my flight. But I woke up wanting to go flying . Until this hurricane goes away and the weather clears up, I won't be doing much of anything.
My brother was doing touch and goes on a really small runway on his 3rd flight. But something tells me he flew many more times than he says he did before then.

Well, we shall see. I don't want things to get boring. I figure if they do, I'll buy a jet. MUAHHA :)


BTW I you are right I guess I should have confidence. I watch the same guys go out to the airfield every time I am there almost, even if I am just passing by with no plane which usually is what happens...they are there in the evening. With the trainer, using that buddy box thing. I never did that, but the second these guys get the planes in their hands they have problems if for more than 10 seconds. The one guy was so proud of himself, after 40+ flights he finally landed one. :) I didn't have the heart to say 'yea well...' hehe
Honestly I wish I did know about the buddy box thing earlier. I would have solicited that opportunity to learn even faster. However not having an instructor is kinda nice, because YOU decide when you want to fly alone. Our airfield instructor is kinda unofficial and cool. He believes that I should do it all so, I guess I shall :)



S

RE: When is a beginner not a beginner??
 

an instructor is a good thing though becasue you will have a lot more confidance when your instructor tells you you are ready, and he probably knows best. confidance is what this hobby revolves around. without confidance in yourself or equipment, all your flights will be a nervous wreck, and this hobby will be no fun. you want to know your equipment until it is second nature. once you have established that, you will never worry aout your engine dying because you know it so well. like my os four stroke, geat engine. i dont't worry about it becasue i know it will not cause any problems, and i have cared for it and watched it break in, and now is running like a dream. i just reccomend the instructor thing. remember though, a lot of first flights are going to be that way. my first solo, i had my instructor standing by me, but put on the neckstrap so that i couldn't chicken out. force yourself on that flight, but after that, you will want to fly again and again.